Les Miserables most challenging for Crowe?

Actor Russell Crowe reportedly finds the audition for Les Miserables "most difficult" of his life.

The 48-year-old plays Javert in the big screen adaptation of the musical but before landing the role he was subjected to a series of rigorous tryouts.

''He had to come in and sing live onstage in London in front of a huge panel, including the director, producers and various actors who had played Javert on Broadway," contactmusic.com quoted a source as saying.

"They totally grilled him giving him notes and rigorous critiques. He said it was the most difficult audition of his life but that he was desperate to win the role," the source added.